This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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Paternal Family Tree: Bertie
In 1735 [his father] Peregrine Bertie 3rd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 21) and Elizabeth Blundell were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Peregrine Bertie 2nd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 48) and [his grandmother] Jane Brownlow Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven.
On 27th November 1750 [his father] Peregrine Bertie 3rd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 36) and [his mother] Mary Panton Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven were married. She by marriage Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven. He the son of [his grandfather] Peregrine Bertie 2nd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven and [his grandmother] Jane Brownlow Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven.
On 17th October 1756 Robert Bertie 4th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven was born to [his father] Peregrine Bertie 3rd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 42) and [his mother] Mary Panton Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven at Grimsthorpe, South Kesteven.
Around 1758 Robert Bertie 4th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 1) educated at Eton College [Map].
Around 1760 Robert Bertie 4th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 3) educated at St John's College, Cambridge University [Map].
On 12th August 1778 [his father] Peregrine Bertie 3rd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 64) died. His son Robert (age 21) succeeded 4th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven, 4th Marquess Lindsay, 7th Earl Lindsey, 20th Baron Willoughby de Eresby.
In 1779 [his brother-in-law] Peter Burrell Baron Willoughby, 1st Baron Gwydyr (age 24) and [his sister] Priscilla Barbara Elizabeth Bertie 21st Baroness Willoughby of Eresby (age 17) were married. He by marriage Baron Willoughby de Eresby. She the daughter of [his father] Peregrine Bertie 3rd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven and [his mother] Mary Panton Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven.
On 12th February 1779 Robert Bertie 4th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 22) was appointed to the Privy Council and as Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire.
Before 8th July 1779 Robert Bertie 4th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 22) and Anne Horatia Waldegrave (age 17) were (possibly) engaged.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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On 8th July 1779 Robert Bertie 4th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 22) died of scarlet fever unmarried at Grimsthorpe, South Kesteven. His uncle [his uncle] Brownlow (age 50) succeeded 5th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven, 5th Marquess Lindsay, 8th Earl Lindsey. His sister [his sister] Priscilla (age 18) succeeded 21st Baroness Willoughby de Eresby.
On 22nd July 1779 Robert Bertie 4th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (deceased) was buried at Edenham, South Kesteven.
After 22nd July 1779. Church of St Michael and All Angels, Edenham [Map]. Monument to [his father] Peregrine Bertie 3rd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven and Robert Bertie 4th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (deceased). On the south side by Charles Harris (age 30). Pointed back panel of black marble before which is a carving of the deceased seated in ducal robes, holding a cameo of the [his mother] Duchess, beside him stands the fourth Duke in Roman dress. The figures are flanked by urns. The base is carved with flutes and paterae and to the centre are bronze plates bearing the memorial inscription.
Mary Panton Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven: she was born to Thomas Panton of Newmarket. On 27th November 1750 Peregrine Bertie 3rd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven and she were married. She by marriage Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven. He the son of Peregrine Bertie 2nd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven and Jane Brownlow Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven. On 19th October 1793 she died.
[his illegitimate daughter] Susan Bertie was born illegitimately to Robert Bertie 4th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven.
Kings Wessex: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 20 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 21 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 28 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 23 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 26 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Bertie 1st Earl Lindsey 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Montagu Bertie 2nd Earl Lindsey 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Montagu Countess Lindsey 
10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Bertie 3rd Earl Lindsey 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cockayne 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Martha Cockayne Countess Holderness
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Morris Countess Dover
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Bertie 1st Duke Ancaster and Kesteven 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Wharton 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip Wharton 4th Baron Wharton 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philadelphia Carey 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Wharton Countess Lindsey 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Wandesford Baroness Wharton
GrandFather: Peregrine Bertie 2nd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Wynn 1st Baronet
Great x 3 Grandfather: Owen Wynn 3rd Baronet
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sidney Gerard
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Wynn 4th Baronet
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Williams
Great x 3 Grandmother: Grace Williams
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Wynn 
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Myddelton of Chirk
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Myddelton of Chirk Castle
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hester Saltonstall
Great x 2 Grandmother: Sarah Myddelton
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Napier 1st Baronet
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maria Napier
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Robinson 
Father: Peregrine Bertie 3rd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Brownlow 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Brownlow 1st Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Brownlow 2nd Baronet
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Duncombe 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Duncombe
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Bennett
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Brownlow 3rd Baronet
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Freke
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Freke of Stretton in Dorset
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Taylor
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Freke Lady Brownlow
GrandMother: Jane Brownlow Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Sherard
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Sherard of Lobthorpe
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Sherard of Lobthorpe
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Brownlow
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Brownlow
Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Sherard Baroness Brownlow
Great x 3 Grandfather: Lumley Dewe of Bishop Upton in Hereforeshire
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Dewe
Robert Bertie 4th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Thomas Panton of Newmarket
Mother: Mary Panton Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven